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Parking charges | News
Parking fees ‘hiing trade’
BUSINESSES inWest Malling are feeling the pinch following the in- troduction of car parking charges inWest Malling. Motorists have been giving the market town a wide berth since Tonbridge and Malling council in- troduced daytime parking fees at the High Street car park in April. Previously, spaces were at a pre-
mium in the car park behind Tesco, but up to half can be found vacant at any one time since the council im- posed the 60p per hour charge. The parish council continues to
fight the imposition and has set up a dedicated website for comments –
westmalling.info/feedback-on-car- parking.html – as Tonbridge and Malling Council has said it will re- view its policy in a year’s time. Parish council chairman Trudy
Dean said: “We need everyone to explain the impact on their shop- ping habits. They (Tonbridge and Malling council) didn’t believe the parish council and the local cham- ber of commerce sowe need people to tell their real stories.” But shopkeepers say a year is too
long, with business down in a mat- ter of just a fewweeks. Julia Smith, secretary of theWest
MICHELLE Lane, proprietor of the award-winning shoe shop Soles With Heart, said: “The number of customers has gone down considerably. “I lost one
only yesterday when a mum came in to browse, de-
cided shewas going to buy school shoes for her children – then re- alised she didn’t have time left on her parking ticket.”
Malling Chamber of Commerce, said: “The footfall in town is down and a number of businesses, partic- ularly the coffee shops, have re- ported a lower revenue in May this year compared to last. “I counted 67 empty spaces in the
car park one Friday afternoon – that’s unheard of. However, we want people to remain positive and support us,we don’twant the High Street to die off. “We are not just competing with
online shopping, but with places like Bluewater which have free parking. Times are tough and the last thing we need is an excuse to make shoppers stay away.” Mrs Smith said issues with the parking machines “swallowing” moneyhad not helped. “People find they are paying for parking time which they are not getting, which adds even more frustration.” With a maximum stay of three
hours between8amand 5.30pm and no return within three hours, shop- pers are unable to buy a second ticket.
“We would ask everyone to continue to support our small independent local businesses. They are the innocent ones in all this and need our support more than ever” Parish councillor Richard Selkirk
No time for coffee and chat Another resident said she and
WRITING on the onlinbe forum, Streetlife, a resident said: “I went into West Malling at midday. I bought an hour, which meant I did not stop for coffee with the friend I ran into and didn’t have time to buy a birthday card. “I got home to a call reminding
me of an appointment at 1.30pm – but where would I park, as you can’t return within three hours?”
her partner often went to West Malling for a drink and a meal, leaving their car overnight. She said: “You can’t do that
now as you have to have a park- ing ticket from 8am and you can’t buy a ticket in advance – so no more West Malling for us. It’s a great shame for the retailers and restaurateurs.”
Malling June 2016 17
OPEN DAY on
Saturday 2nd July 2016 10.30am-3.30pm
• Set in 39 acres of gardens and woodland • Guided tours of our estate • Healing available all day • Taster meditation and tai chi sessions • Talk on the work of The Trust • Talk on the healing power of crystals • Join us in our Prayer Circles • Stalls; Crystals, Books, Gifts, Tombola, Raffle
• Tearoom open all day for light refreshments, homemade cakes and scones • Ploughman's lunches available
The Seekers Trust - The Lilacs - The Close – Addington - West Malling – Kent - ME19 5BL
Tel: (01732) 843589
Website:
wwwtheseekerstrust.com Email:
info@theseekerstrust.org.uk Registered Charity No 222877
The Seekers Trust Healing Centre
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